Portfolio: L.E.E.D. Gold Home

The home is angled on the lot so that one large gable end is oriented to the South. This allows passive solar heating which can reduce heating bills. It is accomplished by placing an extensive amount of glass on the south side which brings in the low winter sun to heat the concrete floors. The gable end facing north (photo) has few windows to protect against heat loss. The home is sided with corrugated steel and CertainTeed fiber cement. The steel will weather and last indefinitely with a mountain style patina which requires no maintenance. The fiber cement siding was finished in the factory and has a 50 year warranty. The garage is a separate structure from the home and attached with a covered walkway. This ensures that the home will have the best indoor air quality possible by keeping chemicals and exhaust out of the home.
A covered walkway is essential during the Tahoe winters. This walkway also creates a North facing covered porch for summertime refreshment and conversation. The crane brings in the steel I-beam which is the support for the third floor loft. A loft is an important design element that helps to embody the warm and cozy feel of a mountain home. The second floor wall panels are craned in. A 6 ½ inch SIP wall has a true R-Value of R-21 compared to a 2x6 stud framed wall with a true R-Value of R-11. True R-Value is the measurement of a completed wall assembly (studs, insulation, sheathing).
The crane brings in another roof panel. The panels are connected by a double 2x10 spline which is glued and nailed in place. This creates an air tight roof and wall assembly. The roof panels arrive. A 10 ¼ inch panel has an R-value of 40. SIPS are a great roof system because they are insulated assemblies requiring no venting. They also work well for vaulted ceilings. Clearing the lot. The wood was used as heat for Healthy Home employees and the limbs were chipped onsite for mulching.
Pex tubing is laid out and ready for a finished concrete floor. The home is heated by circulating warm fluid through concrete floors. There are five separate zones on the first floor and eight throughout the house. This gives the homeowner complete temperature control which improves comfort and saves money. The driveway has a snowmelt system which is controlled by a temperature and precipitation gauge. When there is precipitation and it is below 32 degrees the boiler sends warm fluid to the driveway zone. There is also a manual override control, turn it on to melt ice, turn it off when ice free. There is nothing sustainable about a broken elbow! The walls of the house arrive! The home is constructed of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) which are stronger, more durable and more energy efficient than conventional building.
THUMBNAIL: Bret performing a solar analysis of the site during design of the home THUMBNAIL: Osa helping Bret with the solar analysis THUMBNAIL: The Solar Pathfinder allows Bret to determine the path and intensity of the sun throughout the year in one site analysis.